*Short chapter 'cause this gal is overwhelmed with essays and exams. 

RIP to my soul.

NINETY FOUR | *Restricted

*Animal violence

I remember going hiking with my dad once. This was before I got cancer. I remember our hikes were short, but to me they felt long. We'd go in the morning, and get back home before lunch. Then, my dad would head off to the hospital while I began eating my grilled cheese. My mom would always ask how it was and little me would be so happy to share.

Sometimes we'd see a deer or a garden snake, but one time, when the snow had melted and a cool spring breeze was in the air, my dad took us to a small river. He told me this river was a place he'd take me a lot when I was just a baby. He said it had begun to get smaller and smaller over the years but he wanted me to see it again before it was gone.

Across the river we saw a small bear. I wanted to play with it, but dad took us home immediately. I told my mom about the bear while eating my peanut butter sandwich, unknown to the danger's we had escaped. My mom called my dad crying, and panicked.

We never went hiking again.

Now, I knew the true dangers of nature.

Well, and of bears.

"Mira, this is not the best time to take a stroll down," I puffed, rolling over and pushing myself up, "memory lane. What the fuck."

The bear let out a snarl, blood flying from its mouth before charging towards me. I let out a cry of pain, diving out of it's way and slamming my chin into the road. Not that it mattered, by this point my entire body ached. This would have been over so easily if Sebastian was here.

Sebastian.

Just the thought of him had my heart beating hard, I missed him.

I would save him.

"Mira!" Lisa cried now up the ladder along with Oliver.

Her gun went off, no doubt shooting at the bear. But it paid no attention to the bullets that pierced it's flesh. Instead, the bear charged again, as I picked up my fallen sword and bolted towards the ladder. It was so close now, yes!

My fingers stretched out towards the metal ladder, hope flaring. However, it was quickly destroyed as the bear's large body slammed into me. The ladder fell, and my body went flying into the dirt. A cry flew from my lips, my sword slicing through my own leg as I fell.

"Ugh," I grunted, back on my back.

I could feel the fucking bear circling around me. No doubt trying to obey Barron's orders and attempting to subdue me without killing me. So I played dead. Shutting my eyes tightly, and letting my body go slack. The bear moved closer, it's face shoved towards mine so close I could smell the disgusting rot of it's breath.

As soon as it was close, I tightened my grip on my blade before slamming it into the bear's head. It let out a roar, stumbling back as my blade cut through a quarter of it's skull and brain like butter. For a moment, it didn't move. I took that as my chance to move, rolling away from the bear and bolting.

"Mira!" Lisa cried in panic.

I waved them off, "I'm ok! I'm going to find a different roof, you guys stay there!"

Oliver hummed something before Owl was jumping off the roof and circling around me. I smiled slightly, petting his head. Behind me, I could hear the bear regaining it's movement. Looking down at Owl then my leg that was gushing blood I sighed. Shoving my sword back into it's hilt, we took off down the road.

Maybe it was better this way, Barron already made it clear he wouldn't kill me or Owl. Well...he wouldn't kill Owl yet. That would only make the big cat good for a short time period. Signing, I began hobbling as fast as I could. My leg hurt, but I knew it wasn't worth stopping to bandage it up, my body would heal it in a few moments anyways.

"The sun still has hours before it sets," I sighed softly.

We weren't even two hours into this yet, and already shit was hitting the fan. Not to mention whatever traps Barron had planted. It was quiet, too quiet. Even the bear hadn't followed us and that worried me.

Thunk.

Thunk.

I paused, the further down the road we got, the more that odd noise grew. With my hand on my hilt, and Owl sinking lower to the pavement to prowl, we moved forward. Ahead of us was what looked like a long forgotten church. Moving towards it, I noticed a large shadow between two houses across the road. The shadow seemed to be moving forward, then back. Slowly, at an even pace. I strained my eyes, trying to see what was causing the shadows.

Thunk.

Thunk!

THUNK!

"Oh god," I whispered in horror, bile rising in my throat.

Between the two houses was a large, buck. The odd noise was the buck slamming its head into the side of the house, over and over again. It's face was smashed in now, it's own antlers had snapped off and stuck into the wall of the house. Every time it slammed it's head forward, the antler would stab into it's snout, ripping off pieces of fur and flesh. However, from slamming its head against the house, it's face was indistinguishable. It's eye hung out of the socket, it's face a mess of blood and gore. I could only tell that it was a male deer from it's backside.

It made me feel sick.

I didn't want that zombie deer anywhere near me.

"Come on Owl," I whispered softly, "Into the church."

Owl followed me through the chapel doors, and I made sure to barricade it behind me with a few chairs. Then I turned to the church, surprised to see it well kept. Was someone inside? I moved slowly through the pews. My eyes skittering around the bright area, but quickly looked among the stained glass windows. They told the story of a man put on a cross, then he revived?

"I am confused," I hummed.

Ignoring that, I moved forward. Getting to the other side of the room and noticing a pair of stairs heading up, so I did too. Moving up the stairs I found an office. In the corner of the room a pile of bones, but on the bones a bouquet of flowers? I was further confused now. Why did it seem like someone was here recently?

"I guess we'll wait here," I sighed softly, peering out the window of the office.

Owl yawned, before curling up in agreement. The church did seem like the best place to hide, it was large enough that no zombies outside would hear or see us, and it was sturdy to keep even a bear out. And yet, I couldn't help but wonder if this was ok. From what I knew, Lisa and Oliver were still stuck on that roof and here I was safe and sound.

"Maybe I should go back," I sighed.

Sitting beside Owl on the floor with my back against the desk, I ran my fingers through his fur. It was comforting. I never had an animal companion before and in some ways I found it more peaceful than a human one. I felt like Owl was on my side no matter what, no matter the drama. Animals were loyal, and they loved you despite anything you could do.

A soft sigh left my lips, Oliver was really lucky.

"Well I guess in a way, I have a guard dog," I giggled, thinking about Sebastian.

Sebastian.

My fingers curled and my giggle died down. I felt so guilty now. Who was I to have fun while Sebastian was locked in a fucking van in who knows what condition. I stood quickly, startling Owl. Giving him a reassuring pet, I moved to the office window. The neighbourhood was surprisingly quiet. It worried me, what was Barron's next step?

That next step never came, as the neighbourhood stood quiet. The sun set and soon night fell over. It only then occurred to me that maybe Barron's plan wasn't for me but to kill Oliver and Lisa. I let out a gasp of horror, running down the stairs, Owl on my heels. I pushed the barricades of chairs out of my fucking way before tearing out of the church.

Out of the corner of my eye, the shadow of the deer was silent. The corpse of the deer dead. At least now, it was at peace. It was then I paused. It was nightfall, which meant by now Sebastian was safe. Shouldn't I go to him first?

"No," I whispered, hating that I thought that, "I need to make sure Oliver and Lisa are ok first. Then Sebastian."

So I ran, back to the roof where Lisa and Oliver were supposed to me. Except it was quiet. My heart hammered with fear as I looked up at the roof.

"Hello?" I called.

Then, Lisa's head popped up, and I sighed.

"What are you waiting for?" She laughed, "Set the ladder up for us!"

So I did.

Then, it was time to save Sebastian.

As long as Barron kept his word.